HEALTH

Indian docs return from Pak, to work for peace
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 17
Doctors from both India and Pakistan resolved to continue to campaign for a nuclear-free South Asia, reduction in conventional arms, and making the two nations sign a no-war pact, besides sorting out issues through bilateral negotiations, and using funds for the welfare of people.

These decisions were taken at a joint symposium of the on peace and health held in Karachi last week. On the invitation of Pakistan Doctors for Peace and Development (PDPD), a 24-member delegation of Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) had gone to Pakistan to participate in the conclave.

Addressing a news conference here last evening, Dr L.S. Chawla, president, and Dr Arun Mitra, general secretary of the IDPD, said doctors and medical students of both countries would continue to educate the public about the hazards of war and violence. In order to take the process further, the medical fraternity would hold a dialogue with decision-makers in both nations.

They said the first initiative had been proposed to be held in Islamabad in July when a joint delegation of the IDPD and the PDPD would meet Pakistani leaders in Islamabad. Before their meeting with Pakistan leaders, a delegation from Pakistan would attend the national conference of the IDPD in Hyderabad on March 5.

Led by Dr Chawla and Dr Mitra, the Indian delegation which participated in the symposium comprised Dr Balbir Singh Shah, Dr Tejinder Singh, Dr Baldev Singh Sahota, Dr Devinder Singh, Dr Navinder Singh, Dr Pawan Kumar Singla, Ms Saroj Singla, Dr Gurdarshan Singh, Dr Harminderjit Kaur, Dr Shakeel-ur-Rahman, Dr Satyajit Kumar Singh, Dr Radhesham Shivram Gunjal, Ms Palekar Swara Prashant, Mr Deepak Kumar, Ms Ankita Chaudhary, Ms Priyanka Sara, Ms Neha Venkatesh, Mr Naik Gautam Niloba, Ms Mulay Dipti Ashok, Dr Jeetendra Singh and Dr Surinder Singh Soodan.

From among the functionaries of the PDPD, Dr Tipu Sultan, Dr Haroon Ahmad, Dr Qaiser Sajjad, Dr Abdul Aziz, Dr Habib-Ur-Rahman, Dr Badar Siddiqui, Dr Kaleem Butt, Dr Mirza Alai Azhar, Ms Uzma Noorani, Ms Aiysha, Ms Nabiha and Ms Rimsha, among others took part in the deliberations.

A book, “South Asia in Quest for Peace and Health”, published by the IDPD, was presented to its Pakistani counterparts. An urdu version of a Punjabi novel ‘Bebas Parinde’ written by Dr Balbir Singh Shah was released on the occasion.

Dr Tejinder Singh made an offer on behalf of Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Hospital here to provide treatment free of cost to 20 cancer patients from Pakistan. 

Medical bodies welcome new Civil Surgeon
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 17
The district unit of Indian Medical Association (IMA), the Punjab state branch of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) and the state unit of the National Neonatology Forum (NNF) have hailed the appointment of Dr Rajinder Kaur as the new Civil Surgeon. They have assured her of their full cooperation to the department in the delivery of health services of the masses.

Dr Gursharan Singh, president, and Dr B.S. Shah, secretary of the IMA, who led a delegation of doctors to meet the Civil Surgeon, said the medical fraternity would join hands with the health administration for the implementation of all national and state projects.

The IMA functionaries further asked the authorities to step up the drive against female foeticide and said they would stand by the administration in exposing the black sheep.

In separate statements, Dr Ajit Singh, president of the IPA, and Dr B.K. Jain, president of the NNF, also welcomed Dr Rajinder Kaur and assured her of the cooperation of their respective associations.

Memorial hospital reopened
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 17
Various leaders of the Kila Raipur constituency announced to extend their cooperation in running Bhagwant Memorial Hospital, Narangwal, which had remained closed for a long period due to reported factionalism among the leaders.

The 30-bedded hospital was reopened by Dr Raju Chhinna, Superintendent, DMC Ludhiana. He was accompanied by Mr Mukhwinder Singh Chheena, SP, Mr Ashok Singh Garcha, Chairman, Improvement Trust, and Mr Manmohan Singh Grewal, Chairman, Market Committee, Kila Raipur.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Chhinna said only medical expertise was not enough to run a hospital. He called upon NRIs to join hands to upgrade the infrastructure of the hospital. He said residents of the area should create an endowment fund to meet routine expenses.

Mr Garcha said the hospital used to serve people when there were no facilities available in this rural belt of Ludhiana district.

Dr Sarabjit Singh, Director, Bhagwant Institute of Nursing Education, a sister concern of the hospital, assured to provide best treatment to patients.

The hospital used to provide services to the people of the area during the 60 and 70 with the participation of a private hospital and medical college of Ludhiana. The working was affected due to factionalism.

Health Dept men told to focus on demands
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 17
The coordination committee of paramedical and health employees, which met here today under the presidentship of Mr Amarjit Singh Pandher, exhorted the employees of the Health Department and Anti-Larva Scheme to participate in large numbers in the forthcoming convention of the Punjab Subordinate Services Federation here on December 30 to focus on the pending demands and press for the acceptance of the same.

Mr Pandher lamented that many of the employees of anti-larva scheme were deployed by the Health Department in other sections with the result that cases of malaria and dengue had risen.

The prevalent practice was also violative of the government instructions. He further pointed out that several others demands, including payment of arrears, settlement of promotion and time-scale cases and provision of winter uniforms, were also hanging fire.

The meeting took strong exception to the derogatory attitude of the SMO, Sahnewal towards the employees and urged the authorities to take corrective measures in this regard.

Mr Buta Singh, Mr Surjit Singh, Mr Himmat Singh, Mr Ram Singh, Mr Manjit Singh, Mr Darshan Singh, Mr Pal Din and Mr Ajit Singh also addressed the meeting.

SPORTS

KCW lift trophy in powerlifting
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 17
With four gold, three silvers medals and a point tally of 29, the Khalsa College for Women (KCW) lifted the trophy in the Powerlifting Championship held at Panjab University, Chandigarh, on December 13 and 14.

Students of KCW participated in seven out of nine categories and won positions in all of them. They also established three new records. Mandeep Kaur established records in all three categories by lifting 170 kg in squat, 75 kg in bench press and 165 kg in direct lift — a hefty haul of 410 kg.

The results: 56 kg — Rupinder Kaur: 115 kg squat; 50 kg bench; 125 kg direct lift. Total: 290 kg (gold); 67.5 kg: Gagandeep Kaur: 120 kg squat; 42.5 kg bench; 122.5 kg direct lift. Total: 285 kg (gold); 90 kg: Jasbir Kaur: 132.5 kg squat; 57.5 kg bench; 120 kg direct lift. Total: 310 kg (gold); 48 kg: Sushma: 95 kg squat; 42.5 kg bench; 95 kg direct lift. Total: 232.5 kg (silver); 60 kg: Sonia: 95 kg squat; 42.5 bench; 105 kg direct lift. Total: 242.5 kg. (silver); and 82.5 kg: Hardeep Kaur: 135 kg squat; 60 kg bench; 135 kg d. lift. Total: 330 kg. (silver).

On its arrival here, the team was greeted by the Principal, Dr Varinder Kaur Thind.

Residents miss cricket action
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 17
Cricket fans of Ludhiana and Jalandhar are missing the cricket action between India and Bangladesh as the services of ESPN and Star Sports have been discontinued following Hathway’s failure to pay monthly subscription to the company since September 2004.

ESPN Star Sports has the exclusive right to telecast these matches in India.

Cricket fans in parts of Ludhiana and Jalandhar missed the action as India registered a record tumbling victory over Bangladesh in Dhaka.

Sources say residents of Ludhiana and Jalandhar will miss a lot more of international sports action if the situation is not resolved soon. ESPN Star Sports has the exclusive right to telecast all cricket matches, including seven international cricket series, taking place all over the world till February 2005.

No other channel will be telecasting any cricketing action live during this period.

Sports day of schools
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 17
Children of Chanda Mama and Lovely Lotus Play Schools celebrated their annual sports day at Chanda Mama Campus, Ferozepore road, Ludhiana. Children participated in games like animal race, insect race, frog race, sack race, transport race, musical chairs, etc.

The events were designed to cultivate quick response in children, good listening skills, team work and cooperative spirit.

The day concluded with prize distribution.